About Us
About the Businesswomen’s Association of South Africa
Our Story: A Legacy of Empowerment
Since 1980, the Businesswomen’s Association of South Africa (BWA) has stood at the forefront of championing women’s economic empowerment, resilience, and leadership. Born from the merger of three pioneering women’s organisations—the Executive Women’s Club, the National Association of Women Business Owners, and the Professional Women’s Leadership Development Organisation—the BWA has grown into the largest and most influential network of business and professional women in the country.
For over four decades, we’ve been more than an association; we’ve been a movement. A movement that challenges barriers, celebrates triumphs, and fosters a culture of collaboration over competition. Our history is woven with the stories of women who dared to lead, innovate, and uplift others—women like our first Businesswoman of the Year awardees, whose generosity and vision set the tone for the supportive community we are today.
Founder Spotlight:
Truida Prekel’s 1978 research exposed systemic barriers—winning Unisa’s gold medal despite resistance. Her legacy lives in our advocacy today
OUR HISTORY
Timeline
1980
1980
Founded as Executive Women’s Club with Barclays Bank sponsorship.
Timeline
1983
1983
Matched Pairs programme bridges racial divides during apartheid
Timeline
2000
2000
Merger of 3 organisations (Executive Women’s Club, NAWBO, ProWaldo) forms BWASA.
Timeline
2004
2004
Launch of Women in Leadership Census—now a benchmark for corporate gender equity.
Timeline
2025
2025
Membership Platfom launch to scale impact.
Our Mandate and Value Proposition.
- Our Mandate
The BWA exists to inspire, develop, empower and advocate for women in business and leadership. We recognise that sustainable economic transformation cannot happen in isolation. It requires bold partnerships, advocacy, and actionable strategies to dismantle systemic barriers.
- Our Value Proposition
Building a Pipeline of board-ready, funding-ready, opportunity-ready Women Leaders
Our four strategic pillars
The BWA’s work is anchored in four strategic pillars—each designed to cultivate a robust pipeline of skilled, confident, and impactful women who drive economic and social transformation
Advocacy
We leverage data, research (like our Women in Leadership Census), and partnerships to challenge systemic barriers. Our voice shapes policies and corporate practices, ensuring gender equity is non-negotiable.
Empowerment
Through mentorship, funding readiness programs (Thrive Programme), and board training, we equip women with the tools to lead, negotiate, and scale their businesses sustainably.
Inspiration
From our Fireside Chat Breakfast Series to the Businesswoman of the Year Awards, we spotlight role models who prove what’s possible—igniting ambition in the next generation.
Development
We don’t just advocate for seats at the table; we prepare women to own them. Our Contract Leadership Programme and partnerships with business schools ensure women are industry-ready, today and tomorrow.
Vision
To be Southern Africa’s foremost pipeline for women in business and leadership — equipping, connecting, and championing them to transform industries and economies.
Rooted in our 45-year legacy, we envision a future where women are not just participants but architects of inclusive growth. Inspired by our Constitution’s call to “inspire and empower,” we measure success by the seats women claim in boardrooms, the businesses they scale, and the generations they uplift.
Mission
To advocate for and champion the development and advancement of women in business and leadership roles through serving as a trusted partner that prepares and supplies industries with a qualified pipeline of women for various economic opportunities
This mission reflects our 2025 Strategic Focus to “prepare and supply industries with a qualified pipeline of women” while honouring our Constitution’s mandate to inspire, empower, develop and advocate for women in the economy.
Our Role in the Economy
Women are not just participants in the economy—they are its architects. Yet, disparities persist. The BWA bridges this gap by:
- Advancing Representation
Advocating for 40% female board participation and supporting women-led SMMEs to access markets and capital.
- Fostering Collaboration
Partnering with corporates, government, and academia to create scalable solutions for women’s economic inclusion
- Driving Research
Our leadership census and advocacy programs inform national gender equity policies
- Constitutional Mandate
We have a constitutional mandate as a united, non-racial, non-sexist association to ensure that women’s economic empowerment is realized through our advocacy, mentorship, and strategic interventions.”